Arsenal continue impressive record with draw at Liverpool

Arsenal drew 2-2 with Liverpool on Sunday evening, coming from two goals down to secure a crucial point and extend an impressive record that has formed in recent years.

With the draw, the Gunners built on their recent record against the Reds to extend it to six league games without defeat. Including the 3-2 victory over Jurgen Klopp's side in October 2022 that kickstarted the run, Mikel Arteta has overseen two wins and four draws against Liverpool.

Granted, amidst that streak Arsenal lost 2-0 to their Merseyside counterparts in the FA Cup last January, but their main target over the past three seasons has been the Premier League and they have done a good job of keeping Liverpool at bay when coming head-to-head.

Arsenal's last six league games against Liverpool

Arsenal started the run with a 3-2 win over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium amid the beginnings of their evolution from a Champions League hopeful into a Premier League title challenger. Bukayo Saka won the game for his side with a coolly taken penalty to beat Alisson.

The Reds somewhat got their own back in the return fixture as they came from two goals down to salvage a point against the Gunners at Anfield. That result played a huge part in Arsenal's stumble late in the season, eventually conceding the title to treble winners Manchester City.

Gabriel Magalhaes headed his side into an early lead in a pre-Christmas meeting on Merseyside, but his effort was cancelled out by Mohamed Salah. Mikel Arteta's side managed a 3-1 victory on home turf however, with goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard helping them overtake Liverpool as the league leaders heading into the run-in.

Poised as the season's two title contenders, the sides met at the Emirates Stadium in October 2024 and played out an entertaining 2-2 draw. Liverpool fought back on two occasions to cancel out goals from Saka and Mikel Merino.

In the latest meeting, it was Arsenal's turn to wipe a two-goal deficit at Anfield as they came from behind to snatch a point from the champions. Quickfire finishes from Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz had the hosts cruising, but a second-half fightback and goals from Martinelli and Merino ensured the spoils were shared.

What this run means for Arsenal

While Liverpool did convincingly beat Arsenal to the league title this season, the unbeaten record the latter boasts acts as a statement of Mikel Arteta's clear desire to compete among the big clubs.

Prior to this run, the Gunners had won just one of their ten matches against the Reds under Arteta. They did manage penalty shootout victories in a Carabao Cup tie and the Community Shield, but Liverpool were the dominators of the head-to-head.

To have managed to end such a dire and dismal run against a top side is a good achievement for Arteta and his side. Liverpool had often made the Gunners look a laughing stock at times, but that is no longer the case.

The north Londoners' draw at Anfield made it the longest unbeaten run they have managed against the Reds in the league since going eight without defeat between October 2007 and April 2011. That streak included the infamous 4-4 draw the two sides played out in Liverpool, with Andrey Arshavin stealing the headlines as he scored all four for Arsenal.

The continuation of Arsenal's run against Liverpool has also come as part of their evolution into arguably the best team among the 'big six' clubs, in terms of head-to-head. The Gunners have not lost against a fellow top side since a 4-1 defeat away to Manchester City in April 2023. They have won 17 of their meetings over the past three seasons.

Arsenal's impressive record against both Liverpool and other 'big six' sides has shown how far they have come since Arteta took over at the club. From being one of the worst of the bunch in the final years under Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery, they are now one of the best. All the Gunners need to do now to stand out is win silverware.

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